Ryukoku University

Well, it depends if you want to see rock garden serenity japan or neon nanotech japan. Kyoto is a small city, just over 1.5 million, and the party spots, while existing, are commensurately small. There is a healthy arts scene, but the real treasure is the wealth of historical/cultural/architectural sites both in the city or a day trip away. Go to Ryoan-ji, Byodo-in, Nara, Higashi Hongan-ji, and Inari Taisha, but go on a weekday or very early to beat the crowds of Japanese and gaijin sightseers. For nightlife, take the train to Osaka (about 1 hour) and crawl back on the first train in the morning.

Asakusa, Harajuku and Shinjuku in Tokyo are cool. For partying go for Osaka rather than Kyoto.